Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptians Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdelatty participated in a panel discussion organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the African Union Commission on the recovery of African cultural property, entitled "Reparations, Memory, and Sovereignty." The discussion took place on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council meetings.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Minister Abdelatty emphasized the importance of recovering African cultural property, considering it a matter of identity, dignity, and historical justice. He highlighted the significance of the collective memory of African peoples and their right to reclaim their heritage.

Abdelatty noted that combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property is a top priority for African countries, given the deprivation this crime inflicts on peoples of their history and culture, as well as its connection to organized crime. The discussion also addressed the issue of restitution of African cultural property, which is a matter of identity, dignity, and historical justice.

The Minister reviewed Egypt's efforts in this regard, emphasizing Egypt's success in recovering nearly 30,000 artifacts over the past decades and its readiness to continue supporting African efforts in heritage protection, capacity building, and enhancing documentation, digitization, and scientific research, based on the principle that preserving heritage is a shared responsibility towards future generations. Dr. Badr Abdelatty also stressed the importance of adhering to the principles outlined in the UNESCO Convention and the UN General Assembly resolution on the return of cultural property.

Abdelatty commended UNESCO's efforts in capacity building, raising awareness, supporting the work of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Return of Cultural Property, promoting cultural heritage, and building the capacity of African countries to combat illicit trafficking.